The Chronicle Autumn Term 2017

23 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

Lisa Elkins What do you do atTeddies and how long have you been at the School? I have been here for 16 years. I am Head of Dance, teach Health and Fitness, coach Netball and I tutor in Apsley. Where were you before? I trained and worked at the Italia Conti and Caroline Salmon Dance Schools and went on to own and run my own. What do you most enjoy about your roles? Seeing the pupils’ progress, learning new skills and gaining confidence. I really enjoy working with a professional and talented team of Dance teachers. Name some highlights from yourTeddies career so far. Two years ago I helped the Upper Sixth to make a film for the Dance Show. We danced in many unusual locations around School including on the hockey pitch, in the Quad and on the tables in the Dining Hall - such fun! You can watch the video in the Arts section of Teddies TV on the website (An Insight into the Life of the Dance Squad). My passion is producing and choreographing shows and I have particularly enjoyed Grease , Fame and High School Musical . Tell us about the role Dance plays in school life? I develop a busy timetable which is currently 80 classes per week and still expanding. Creating exciting routines for the boys and girls in the Dance Squad is endlessly stimulating and enjoyable. Dance gives the pupils something else to focus on, and allows them to create new friends and relationships. It also gives them time to break away from studying to gain new skills and enjoy exercising. We do a show every term, so there’s always something to produce and work towards – there’s never a dull moment in the Dance Department! In terms of Health and Fitness, I always try to ensure that the programmes are challenging and push the pupils to their limits. Is there anything new planned for this academic year? We have a wide range of Dance choices on offer but I’m always on the look-out for new styles and opportunities. This year, I’m very keen to take the Squad and Dance teachers out to prep schools to show how amazing Dance is at Teddies: the word is definitely spreading! What do you most enjoy about working at a school in Oxford? It’s wonderful how everything is so close, no one feels trapped. The Dance Department’s base in The North Wall is a happy place with fantastic facilities. Any highlights coming up? I’m very much looking forward to producing the musical Footloose next term. What is important to you? Spending time with my gorgeous children and family. Always being loyal - and staying fit and healthy. Best advice you’ve ever been given? Live life to the full. Don’t be afraid to be who you want to be.